T H I 



dvtnture* and feapf0 



F 



HARVEY BOBBINS AND FAMILY 



FROM THE REBELS, 



BALTIMORE: 
PRINTED BY SHERWOOD & CO 

N. W. COR. GAY AND BALTIMORE ST 3 . 
18 6 1. 



T M K 




&vmtmt& and 



P 

HARVEY ROBBINS AND FAMILY 

FROM THE REBELS, 



BALTIMORE: 
TRINTED BY SHERWOOD & CO. 

K. W. COR. GAT AND BALTIMORE BTS. 



.13 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1861, 
By J. W. WHARTON, 
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maryland. 



2 o 9 h 



/ 



TO THE PUBLIC. 



The adventures of the Author of this little book, together 
with the miraculous escapes of his family, cau be testified 
to by thousands of his friends, and it is by their persuasion 
and his destitute situation that he now makes his life pub- 
lic. Having lost all that he possessed in the world, he now 
throws himself and his family upon the generosity of his 
friends. 

EL BOBBINS. 



THE ADVENTURES AND ESCAPES 

OF 

HARVEY ROBBINS AND FAMILY FROM THE REBELS, 

NEAR YORKTOWN, VA. 



I was born in Wayne county, in the State of 
New York, July 4th, 1824. My parents were 
connected with the first families of that State, and 
I was raised in the midst of refinement and affec- 
tion. Death, that tyrant, however, threw his pall 
over my prospects, and bereft me of my protectors 
at an early age, thus leaving me an orphan, alone 
and friendless. Being naturally of a restless, 
roving disposition, I left for Michigan at the age 
of 15, and landed in Detroit on a beautiful day in 
June, 1841, with but 15 cents in my pockets. Hav- 
ing spent 12 cents of that sum for a night's lodg- 
ing, I wandered around the city until the pangs of 
hunger caused me to enter a store and invest my 
last penny in something to eat. While thus en- 
gaged, I meditated upon my situation, and a des- 
olate one it was, for I was homeless and moneyless, 
and I again set out on my weary wanderings. 
Providence, however, sent me a kind-hearted 



G 



stranger, who, taking compassion upon my help- 
lessness, took me home with him and initiated me 
in the art of hunting. 

Many were the expeditions we took together in the 
interior of that new State, some of which I will now 
relate. Upon one of them we started four panthers 
early in the morning, and followed them until late 
at night, when we lied down in the snow till morn- 
ing. At the break of day we again started on 
their trail, and at last traced them to a large tree. 
Being aware of the nature of the animals, we ap- 
proached them very cautiously, and as I was looked 
upon as the best shot, I was appointed to shoot 
one, which I did right through the heart. An 
Indian of our party next was chosen, and he fired, 
but only wounded the animal, who at once sprung 
down about 80 feet at me. I at once dodged him, 
and drawing my bowie-knife, made a dash at him, 
but only succeeded in slightly wounding him, and 
becoming goaded by the pain of his wounds he 
dashed at me with all the fury of his nature. . My 
companions becoming frightened, they left me to 
my fate ; so to bring the contest to a conclusion I 
made another pass at him, and gashed him fear- 
fully. He struck at me with his paw, and at one 
time my life was in great danger ; so seeing 
the necessity of making an end to the battle, I 
struck one blow which laid him dead at my feet. 
I was growing weak from loss of blood, and with 
great difficulty I crawled to a large tree, and rest- 



7 



ing myself behind it, I loaded and fired my gun 
three times, thinking by so doing I might call my 
friends to my assistance. It had the desired effect, 
and soon they came, and thinking I was dying, 
carried me carefully to our Kanche, about six miles 
distant, where they attended me until I was able 
to get out. 

I now pass over two years of my life, at the end 
of which I was still with my friend of the back- 
woods. Growing weary of such a life, my mind 
came to the conclusion to change it, and so on the 
29th of May, 1843, I started for new places and a 
new home. I passed through Chicago, Buffalo, 
[Rochester and Oswego ; at the last place I enlisted 
in the Fourth Artillery, company G, and soon 
found myself at Fortress Monroe, at which place 
we landed 10th August, 1844. We stayed there 
until the Mexican war broke out, and then we 
were ordered to Texas, where we landed upon the 
1st September at Corpus Christi. We spent six 
months upon shore, and I must say that I never 
want to spend such another six months as I did 
those, for it was one continual rain the whole 
time. We took up our line of march in the spring 
to the Eio Grande, and reached our destination 
upon the 16th of March. Our company being the 
oldest in the service, we received orders to take up 
our position at a point called Fort Isabel, near the 
mouth of the above river, for the express purpose 
of protecting the Government stores. Upon the 



8 



opposite side of Metamoras the rest of the army 
were engaged in building a fort by the name of 
Fort Brown, which was twenty miles from Point 
Isabel. The Mexicans about this time began to 
grow very bold, and contemplated an attack upon 
General Taylor's forces in their passage from Point 
Isabel to Fort Brown. After the battles of the 
9th and 10th of May, the details of which are mat- 
ters of history, we left our quarters to join General 
Taylor at Metamoras. "We then moved to a point 
within three miles of Monterey, in full view of all 
the works of the enemy. This place is highly 
blessed by the hands of nature, being surrounded 
by a beautiful grove of walnut and ebony trees, 
while a gushing spring poured out its waters for 
our thirsty army. 

Upon the second day of our arrival, General 
Worth was ordered to take fifteen hundred men 
and cut off alb communications between the cities 
of Monterey and Saltillo, and likewise to cajoture 
two small forts, one of which was known by the 
name of the Bishop's Palace. With a full deter- 
mination to conquer or to die, we set off upon our 
mission, and reached our destination by 12 o'clock 
the same day. We were met by a force of one 
thousand of the lancers of the enemy, but soon put 
them to an inglorious flight, and when we were 
ordered by the General to storm a fort which stood 
some thousand feet above us, we went to our work 
in gallant style, and soon our " stars and stripes" 



9 



Were thrown to the breeze in triumph. At 3 o'clock 
next morning we stormed and captured Bishop's 
Palace, and then we started upon our way to the 
city, and halted at last within one square of the 
main Plaza, where the Mexicans with seven thous- 
and troops.were drawn u-p in battle array to receive 
us, but American valor again triumphed, and the 
enemy were routed. We encamped there until 
General Scott took the field, when we joined him 
at Lobus Island by forced marches. Men dropped 
down dead from the fervent heat of the sun, and 
the stoutest heart grew sick at the dreadful scenes 
which every where met our view. A soldier's life 
is one of change, and from the Island we were 
removed to Yera Cruz. It need not be told how 
we crushed all opposition, and suffice it to say that 
our march was on to conquering and to Gonquer, 
until the star spangled banner Waved in triumph 
over the halls of the Montezumas. 

After the hard-fought battle of Cerro Gforda, the 
company to which I was attached was selected as 
an escort to a train which was to be despatched to 
Vera Cruz. After marching some ten miles I fell 
behind, and was seized by six men, and carried to 
their camp, where I was bereft of all my clothing, 
and where insult after insult was heaped upon me, 
and threats were made to shoot me, which know- 
ing the character of the Mexicans, I fully made 
up my mind would be carried into effect. I came 
to the conclusion that I might as well die in at- 



10 



tempting to escape, as to wait for their pleasure to 
shoot me, so I kept a good look-out for the first 
chance that offered itself, which by the by soon 
happened. I was to go with a sentinel to get some 
water about twenty rods from the camp, and as it 
was quite dark, I made up my mind to attempt 
my escape. Upon arriving at our place of des- 
tination, the sentinel placed his gun against a 
tree, which I no sooner saw, than I sprang to- 
wards it with all the quickness of which my nature 
was master of, and threw it in the spring, and 
then started off for the mountains, destitute as I 
was of clothing. The light of the moon alone 
guided me, and when the sun awoke from his sleep 
of the night previous, I was about 20 miles from 
the scene of my capture. I was completely dum- 
founded as regarded the road, and being weary 
and worn, nature gave way, and I yielded to the 
power of sleep. When I awoke I again started 
forth, and by a good Providence soon came across 
the road which led to Vera Cruz, where I stopped 
in the hope of meeting some of our friends, but, 
alas, night came, but no succor for me. I trav- 
eled all that night, and met various parties of the 
enemy, but always made out to avoid them. I was 
tired and hungry, and fell into a deep sleep, from 
which I was awakened by the sound of a bugle, 
and not knowing whether it was friend or foe, I 
kept perfectly quiet for at least a half hour, then 
hearing the approach of some horsemen, I gazed, 



II 



and was thrilled with delight as I saw they were 
some of our dragoons. They were commanded by 
Captain Harding, and were surprised at seeing 
me in the plight I was. The Captain inquired of 
me as to how I came in the situation I then was, 
and after I had given him a full statement, he or- 
dered me to go to one of the wagons and feed and 
clothe myself, which I did, thanking God for his 
goodness all the while. After I had satisfied the 
cravings of hunger, I joined my company at a 
small village some seventy-five milles from Yera 
Cruz. 

Eight days after we left our quarters and marched 
on to Mexico, and our limits will not permit me 
to give a detailed account of all the battles which 
took place before we reached that beautiful city, 
but suffice it to say, that it was by great struggling 
that we accomplished our conquest of Mexico. — 
The city itself is full of beauty, and abounds in 
all that can please the taste or attract the eye. — 
Her churches are unsurpassed in the richness of 
their splendor, and the gorgeousness of their deco- 
rations. Mexico was vanquished, and having thus 
defended the rights of our country, we returned 
home to the joys of domestic life. 

Upon returning home I settled in the western 
part of Maryland, where I was elected captain of 
a volunteer company, but soon growing restless, I 
removed to Illinois ; but meeting with misfortunes 
on every hand, I resolved to pitch my tent in old 



12 



Virginia, which determination I soon carried into 
effect, and after taking a trip by the way of the 
Lakes and New York, I landed at Norfolk. Look- 
ing around for a good settlement, I bought a farm 
on Back river, near Yorktown, improved it by 
building, and stocked it with every requirement 
of a good plantation, and was but holding back 
until the commencement of spring to begin opera- 
tions. But with the advent of spring the difficul- 
ties between the two sections of our country be- 
gan to increase. What to do I knew not. I could 
not sell ; all kinds of property was a dreg, and as 
to take up arms against the General Government, 
I could not ; in fact, ,1 had openly declared my 
fixed determination not to do so. Volunteer com- 
panies were raised all around me, and upon being 
offered a Major's commission in the rebel army 
by Colonel Magruder, I declined, and stated that 
I wished nothing to do with the existing contest. 
Things soon began to wear a most threatening as- 
pect, and I almost dreaded what was to come, for 
my mind was resolved that I never would raise an 
arm against that flag which I had defended upon 
the plains of Mexico. 

Upon the 16th of May, word was sent me by 
Colonel Magruder that he wished to see me at 
Yorktown. I at once obeyed the summons, and 
proceeded to his office^ where I found him sur- 
rounded by his staff. He appeared much pleased 
by my promptness, and made me an offer of the 



13 



command of a regiment, which I was to raise in 
York county. I was to call all the men together 
of the respective ages of sixteen to sixty, and 
form them into companies, and all those who did 
not attend to the call I was to arrest and put in 
jail. 

Upon the plea of ill health I declined his offer, 
and left him for my home— and upon my way my 
mind was perplexed as to what course to pursue. 
Affairs were coming to a crisis. I saw plainly 
that I could not stay where I was, and as to sell, 
that was an impossibility. 

Soon after I had left Magruder he had an order 
issued that every man capable of bearing arms 
should meet at certain points, bringing with them 
such arms as they might possess, and those who 
failed to obey were at once to be arrested. I had 
been in the habit of visiting the shipping at Old 
Point by night, but was discovered and warned 
from repeating it ; and the warning was accom- 
panied by a threat of hanging. I replied that I 
did not respect their authority, and, being in a free 
country, would act as I thought proper ; so that 
very night I again visited the blockading squad- 
ron. Upon my arrival next morning I discovered 
that they had been to my house, and had gave 
utterance to threats of hanging me. They called 

me a " d n Yankee," and swore that I was a 

carrier of news to the d n Yankees at Old 

Point. Feeling somewhat alarmed, I hurried back 



14 



swiftly to my boat, and had not been there but a 
few minutes before I saw my mother-in-law rapidly 
approaching. She brought me the tidings that 
there were four men at my house, with a rope with 
which to hang me, and gave it as her opinion that 
I had better make myjescape to Old Point as soon 
as possible. I took her advice and sailed over the 
river to Old Point, thinking that they would ex- 
tend to me their protection ; but, to my great sur- 
prise and mortification, the Colonel in command 
gave me to understand that he would not allow me 
to stay. I told him that I thought it quite a hard 
case, that as true and a loyal man as I was could 
not be protected by the Government in whose hon- 
or and for whose glory I was ready to fight. Col- 
onel Demick explained to me that he could do 
nothing, and that my best plan was to proceed 
home and stay there. I turned away in disgust, 
and felt humiliated that our country had such 
officers ; and not knowing what else to do, I de- 
termined to go home and keep out of the reach of 
my enemies the best way I could ; so I started 
back, the distance being fifteen miles. 

When I reached the river side it was near sun- 
down, and feeling dubious about crossing over un- 
til after dark, I laid down in the midst of a thick 
woods which lined the river's banks. I had hardly 
gotten composed before I heard some men engaged 
in conversation, and raising up my head, my gaze 
fell upon three men, who, seeing me, rushed 



15 



towards my place of concealment with all their 
vigor. I had my rifle with me, and bringing it to 
a level, I commanded them to stop or to take the 
consequences . They no doubt thought * ' discretion 
the better part of valor/"' and therefore imme- 
diately halted. I at once demanded what they 
wanted of me, and was answered, (C nothing." I 
then politely informed them that I gave them two 
minutes to leave, and if they did not I should most 
certainly shoot them. They left in double quick 
time, and as I thought they would return Avith an 
increased force to capture me, I hid myself in the 
bushes until night had drawn her veil across the 
face of nature. When darkness had settled down 
upon all things, I re-entered my boat and crossed 
the river, and after reaching the other side I went 
very cautiously through the woods until I reached 
the house of my brother-in-law. I gave a low tap 
at the door, and upon his opening it, I inquired 
" if they were still on the search for me." He 
told me that tliey had been, and that I must come 
in quickly, for if I was caught they would cer- 
tainly hang me, as I was an infernal Yankee trai- 
tor. 

He very kindly took me up stairs, and gave it as 
his opinion that I had better lie still that night, 
and then attempt to get to some of the loyal States ; 
for as to stopping there any longer, it was not to 
be thought of. The next night I succeeded in 
reaching my home, and taking two blankets and 



16 



my rifle, went to the woods close by my house, re- 
solving to stay there and wait until something 
should happen in my favor. I gave orders to my 
little boy Charley, who was twelve years of age, 
to come down every clay to pick up chips, and to 
bring me something to eat, and to leave it in a 
certain large tree. The poor boy wept bitterly, 
and said : 

u Papa, I will bring you something in the night, 
and not in the day." 

I was placed in a trying situation, one in which 
I never wish to be again. I held my trusty rifle 
always in my hand, for I was resolved to sell my 
life dearly. My little boy cheered me with his 
visits daily, and made me acquainted with all that 
passed; and he would often say, " Papa, don't 
let them catch you, for they swear they will kill 
you." I stayed penned up in those woods for two 
long, tedious weeks, when, at the end of that pe- 
riod, my boy brought me the information that a 
new commander had been appointed at Old Point, 
and that my wife had requested me to again claim 
protection from the Government. 

My mind was made up — I was resolved to try — 
so flinging my rifle across my shoulder, I started 
for the river, where I found a boat. Stepping in, 
I sailed nine miles up the river to a village by the 
name of Hampton, some three miles from Fortress 
Monroe. I stayed there over night, and in the 
morning went to the lines of the pickets, where T 



11 



met Colonel Duryea, of the New York 5th Yolun- 
teers. He made minute inquiries of me, and upon 
my informing him of the causes which led to my 
present situation, he took me down to the Fortress 
and introduced me to General Butler, who gave 
me a true soldier's welcome, and wished to know 
if I was acquainted with the country. Upon my 
answering satisfactorily, he stated to me his wish 
to obtain a guide, and that I should he well paid 
if I would act in that capacity. Colonel Allen, of 
the 1st New York Yolunteers, happening to he in 
the office at the time, gave me an invitation to his 
regiment. A truer man, a "braver soldier than 
Colonel Allen never breathed the breath of life. 
He took me to his tent, and treated me with the 
greatest respect. Time after time was I sent out, 
often at the risk of my life, until his regiment was 
ordered away. Having got the Colonel to make 
out my papers for my pay, which was three dollars 
a day for one month, I took them to General But- 
ler, who at last, after I had called three or four 
times, put them in his pocket, and up to the pres- 
ent time, I have not, as yet, received one cent for 
my services ; but I hope that the Government will 
see to it, for I have sacrificed everything for my 
country's cause, whereas, by proving a traitor I 
could have now held a commission as Major in the 
rebel army. But no, kind reader, there is no trai- 
torous blood in me, and rather would I suffer a 
thousand deaths than to raise my arm against that 



18 



honored flag bequeathed to us by the Father of his 
Country, and which I helped to defend on the well- 
fought battle plains of Mexico. No, no, my life is my 
country's, and shall be offered up as a willing sac- 
rifice at any time her honor or her interest demands 
it. I can say with Webster — ' c Liberty and Union, 
now and forever, one and inseparable I" 

I forgot to mention that I was a guide at the 
battle of Great Bethel, and if my advice had been 
taken, the guns and the men would have been 
taken. Three days after the above battle, I went 
to Colonel Alien for the purpose of obtaining from 
him a company of men, so that I might effect the 
deliverence of my family. My request was com- 
plied with, and by his orders Captain, (now Major) 
Clancey took a company of men and proceeded 
upon my errand. We had at least three miles to 
go to Back river, and then we were forced to cross 
as best we could. Upon reaching the river, but 
one small boat could be seen, so I informed the 
Captain that if he would allow me five volunteers, 
I would cross the river and attempt to reach my 
house. He at once turned to his company and ad- 
dressed them, telling them that but five was want- 
ed, yet they would smell powder before their mis- 
sion was accomplished, and would run the risk of 
their lives. When he had concluded, every man 
stepped out. Selecting five men, he then said he 
would go himself — so we all crossed the river. 
After we had arrived within twenty yards of the 



19 



shore, we were greeted with the sight of sixty or 
seventy horsemen charging down full tilt upon us. 
Being familiar with the ground, I informed the 
Captain that nothing need he feared, as they could 
not reach us on account of a marsh between us and 
them. We landed on the shore, about six hun- 
dred yards from them, and a quarter of a mile 
from my house. We fired a volley at them, and 
at once they scampered off to the woods, thinking 
thus to decoy us up from the river. Upon glanc- 
ing towards my house, I noticed an infantry com- 
pany coming towards us at a double quick, and 
told the Captain that if we did not return soon we 
would be taken prisoners, and as for me, death 
was certain ; so we again crossed the river, and 
made our report to headquarters. 

It appeared, as I discovered afterwards, that 
they took the negro man prisoner who took us 
across, and forced him to divulge all that we had 
said. I had said that I would have my family at 
the risk of my life. They at once sent word to 
Yorktown that I had been over and fired on the 
troops, and General Magruder sent back word to 
offer one thousand dollars reward for me dead or 
alive, and to seize my wife and bring her to York- 
town, and confine her in the common jail ; but 
she got wind of what was coming, and run out of 
her father's house and hid herself under a bridge. 
When the troops came to capture her, they asked 
after the d — ■ — n Yankee's wife; and upon being 



20 



told that she was not in the house, they searched 
every apartment in the building. For two days 
did they scour the woods for her, and searched 
every house for three miles round. In the mean- 
time her father visited her place of concealment, 
and supplied her with the necessities of life. 
Upon the second day he wanted her to yield herself 
up, as it was his opinion that she would die where 
she was. She replied, that if he would bring her 
three little ones to her, she would attempt to pass 
the rebel sentries and gain the river ; which he 
did, and so one dark night she started upon her 
dangerous journey. Providence must have cer- 
tainly directed her, for she and her little ones 
passed on, in safety, and at last the welcome sight 
of the rolling river cheered her soul. 

Upon reaching the bank she found a boat, and plac- 
ing her jewels in it, she stepped in and set it adrift. 
She knew not where she would land. The river 
was two miles across, and the night as dark as 
Egypt. Fears took possession of her that she would 
be carried out into the ocean and lost ; but she 
trusted in God, and that trust was not misplaced, 
for she landed at last on the opposite side. It was 
about 1 o'clock in the morning, and she, therefore, 
had to wait until daylight to discover her situa- 
tion. She was forced to pass a house, and as she 
did so she trembled for fear of being recognized ; 
but she was not, although a great many questions 
were propounded to her, such as — "Who are 



21 



you?" " Where are you going?" &c. She re- 
plied, that her name was Miss Morrison — that she 
owned some property in Hampton — that she heard 
the Yankees had issued orders that those persons 
who had left must return. She was then warned 
not to go, as she would be captured ; but she re- 
plied that she was determined to reach there if she 
could. They then wanted to know if she knew 

anything of that d n Yankee that lived on the 

other side of the river, by the name of Bobbins, 
who had joined the Union army at Old Point. 
She plead ignorance, but said that she had heard 
of him, and that he must be a mean man to fly 
from his home and join the enemies of the South. 
She at last left them, and after proceeding about 
five miles fell in with the pickets of our army. 
She safely reached the Fort, (her and her little 
ones,) and was taken before General Butler, who, 
knowing all the circumstances, sent her to Colonel 
Allen, of my regiment. Oh ! the exquisite joy of 
that meeting. We were well provided for by the 
Quartermaster, and made as comfortable as things 
would allow. 

Dear reader, my story is done, and to God I am 
grateful that he has re-united me with my family. 
When I started from home I was possessor of fif- 
teen cents, which sum was? still mine when my 
wife reached me, and she only brought the clothes 
on her back, ten dollars, and our three children. 
To the First Begiment, N. Y. V., I shall always 



22 



feel under many obligations. I was promised a 
commission by the Colonel, but through some dif- 
ficulty he was forced to leave the service, but 
wheresoever he may be, may God bless him, for 
he was every inch a man and a soldier, and the bat- 
tle of Great Bethel added lustre to his brow. 

Dear, kind and generous reader, my plain, un- 
varnished narrative is jiow completed, and I launch 
this little book upon the tide of public opinion, 
hoping that your smiles may waft it on to the 
haven of success. I have passed through many 
vicissitudes of life — I have been tossed by the rough 
gales of adversity, and fanned by the balmy zephyrs 
of prosperity — but through every changing scene 
I have kept inviolate the love I bear my country. 
Fortune may frown upon me — summer friends may 
flit away at the first breath of the coming storm — 
but the deep devotion with which I cling to my 
native land shall never leave me, and my last 
words shall be — "First my God^ and then my 
country ! " 



> :^>^s>3B > >> -• » 

) '3>^V>^ >3>Ji> 

> > » -»••• *>> 

> >> 3ct»" 



> > > > |» >v » rn> 555 

■' s ?o > . %3> Efc •> \ 

t> 3 3 3» v ^£ ^ ^> 

^^>p--33 

M fi f I ! 

> ^ ^ > > > A 
> -=< > > 3 < 

\--: ^ i • 

> > ^ > 3> 

^ s> > ^ - 3* » > " 

^> >-> 33?: J> a 



>>>..i> > • >». ^ 33J3I* > \2> 



1^ 



< > .» > 
_> > >, 



» , >^>> - o > ^ 

^s»> 3 3 

> >>^ > > ^ 

> »> 3 3 > 

:> » > 3 > 

3 ^ ^ ^> . ^ 

* » > > 3 



• : ^ . > > 
3> 3-3 

>3> > > 

5 3 3 

3 3|B 

3 3 J 



^ f 3 

>^3> 

> > 

^> > >3 
->-'3 
^> > >> 
^> > 3 

> 3 

> 3 

II I 

>:> # 

m f 



3t> 
•> . 
' >. , 

> 



> > 

? 3 

> > 

J > 



3 3 3> > 3 O 

>> >> ? I 

33 3 3 311 

> _> 3 3> ^> 1 

' _ 3> > > ^ .»>;3> 

► > > > > gfS 

- ^3> 3 3 :3> 3 

^ ^ "> >> ^q|Q^3> 
^ ^3> 3 -» ^ "-"'_3> 

* ^^> 333 "»:»>S 

:> '3^>^3>3S>^ 

^> > > ;^ 3^»^ 

^ ^^.^ ^f3» T 3 

3^ 



3*33 



